Pressure on Starmer as peers vote for Australia-style social media ban for children

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"The House of Lords has backed a ban on social media for under-16s, adding to growing pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to introduce an Australia-style crackdown. The prime minister had tried to head off the vote by launching a consultation on potential restrictions. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced a three-month consultation this week, which will consider the advantages and disadvantages of a ban, as well as possible overnight curfews and actions to prevent doom-scrolling, reporting back in the summer."

Independent deploys journalists to cover developing stories across reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech, investigating issues such as Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC and producing documentaries about American women fighting for reproductive rights. Donations fund on-the-ground reporting and allow content to remain free without paywalls, with funding expected from those who can afford it. The House of Lords backed an outright ban on social media for under-16s via an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill by 261 to 150. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall launched a three-month consultation on bans, overnight curfews and measures to prevent doom-scrolling. Supporters cited include medical professionals, police, national intelligence, teachers and hundreds of thousands of parents.

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